Taiwan’s new opposition leader, Cheng Li-wun, officially assumed leadership of the Kuomintang (KMT) on Saturday, warning of the growing danger of conflict with China. She promised to guide the island into a new era of peace across the Taiwan Strait.

Cheng, a former lawmaker, now leads Taiwan’s largest opposition party at a time when political and military tensions with Beijing are high. China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory, a stance firmly rejected by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

During her inauguration ceremony at a high school stadium in Taipei, Cheng told party members that Taiwan faced constant threats of war. “This is the worst of times. The Taiwan Strait faces grave military danger and the world is watching closely,” she said.

A Shift Toward C

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